Robert Birsel
China has welcomed a Russian proposal for the restoration of a three-member bloc with India, saying cooperation would be in their interests and would contribute to peace and security, raising the prospect of a revitalized alliance that could challenge U.S. influence.
The three largest countries on the Eurasian land mass first floated the idea of a trilateral cooperation bloc in the 1990s,
and they later held several ministerial meetings. But the initiative has stalled in recent years because of tensions between China and India over sections of their border.
Why It Matters
A revival of the Russia, India, China, or RIC, bloc could pose a challenge to the U.S. if it resulted in more coordinated action by the three nuclear-armed countries on diplomatic, economic and security issues.
The proposal for greater three-way cooperation comes as the administration of President Donald Trump is promoting his "America First" agenda,
including the imposition of sweeping tariffs, which has raised questions in some countries about their standing with the U.S.
China has criticized U.S. tariff policy as "bullying." U.S. officials have defended the tariffs saying unfair trade arrangements have to be adjusted.
India and the U.S. are negotiating a trade deal while the United States has imposed sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
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